White House Officials Make Sure The United States Defends Israel If Attacked By Iran

JAKARTA - White House's national security spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday the United States remained committed to defending Israel for any Iranian attacks, on the other hand hoping to reach a conflict ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Kirby told Channel 12 Israel it was difficult to predict the possibility of an attack (Israel), but the White House took Iran's statements seriously.

"We believe they (Iran) are still in a position and ready to launch an attack if they want to do so, which is why we have an enhanced strength posture in the region," he said.

"Our message to Iran is consistent, has been and will remain consistent. First, don't do that. There is no reason to raise this. There is no reason to start a kind of regional war all-out. And number two, we will be ready to defend Israel if that happens," he explained.

Iran is known to have vowed to give a strong response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which occurred when he visited Tehran late last month and was accused of Israeli. Israel neither confirmed nor denied his involvement.

Uncle Sam's country is known to have two aircraft carrier fighting groups in the Middle East, as well as a squadron of F-22 fighter jets.

Kirby said the troops would remain "as long as we feel the need to defend it to help defend Israel and maintain our own troops and facilities in the region."

However, he remains optimistic about the possibility of reaching a Gaza ceasefire agreement to end the 10-month war and return the remaining 108 Israeli hostages, saying the process has been going on "constructively" and he is looking forward to more negotiations in Doha in the next few days.

Kirby declined to blame one of the parties for the deadlock, saying the deal would require compromise and leadership from Israel and Hamas.

"Both sides are still involved and that's a good thing," he said.

"The fact that we have stepped to a higher level with the existence of working groups in Doha, is not a bad thing. That means that both sides are still talking. This means there is still hope that we can finish some of the last details and move forward," Kirby explained.

"Hamas is still represented in this working group discussion and that is a good thing. No one has come out of this process at all," he said.